[Botulinum toxin. A new therapeutic alternative in spastic dysphonia (laryngeal abductor dystonia)].

Laryngeal dystonia is a condition characterized by involuntary spasms of the laryngeal muscles. In most patients this involves the adductor laryngeal muscles (adductor laryngeal dystonia). Treatment with a variety of therapies, including speech therapy and pharmacotherapy, have led to minimal improvement. Injections of botulinum-toxin (Botox) bilaterally into the vocalis muscles is a new treatment for adductor laryngeal dystonia. Since May 1991 we have treated 23 patients with adductor laryngeal dystonia with botulinum-toxin. In 74% of the patients the voice improved within 24-72 hours, and effect lasted for 2-14 months (average four months). Most of the patients got a breathy voice and a mild sensation of dysphagia during the first week after the injection.